"I think Chip is a good coach and did a good job," Belichick said Tuesday as the two teams began the first day of three joint practices leading into their preseason game Friday night. "They have a good football team. I think the play they got at quarterback last year was real good. I'm not sure that anybody totally saw that coming, but that was a big part of it."

Belichick was referring to the play of quarterback Nick Foles, who threw 27 touchdown passes against only two interceptions after taking over for Michael Vick last October. When the two teams held joint practice sessions in Philadelphia last summer, Foles and Vick were competing for the quarterback job, which Vick ended up winning.

Even then, Belichick said he could see that Foles was talented.

"They were two good quarterbacks," Belichick said. "But the year that Foles had – the production, the touchdowns, interceptions and overall handling of the team – was great, outstanding. I don't know at that point in training camp that I necessarily saw that coming."

Foles said the practices with the Patriots are beneficial to him, if for no other reason than to watch quarterback Tom Brady work. Brady is going into his 14th season as the Patriots' starting quarterback and 15th overall.

"Throughout this week, I'm sure I'll get a chance to get out there and talk with him, pick his brain and everything," Foles said. "Whenever he's going, I'm watching him."

Maclin-Revis matchup

For Tuesday's team drills, Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin found himself matched up against cornerback Darrelle Revis, the Patriots' prized free-agent signing for the offseason, known for locking down the other team's top receiver.

It's something Maclin might have to get used to this season as he'll often go against the opponent's top cornerback. Revis, for the most part, kept Maclin in check.

That is, except for one time Maclin got behind Revis and hauled in Foles' pass for a touchdown. It didn't appear that Revis was running at full speed at that point, perhaps giving up on the play because Foles might have held the ball too long.

"We had some pretty good battles," Maclin said. "It was pretty fun."

Added Revis: "I'm just trying to soak it all in. It's good to get competition from other opponents. We've been going at it for a while as a team, offense and defense, so it's good to see new faces."

No retribution on Williams

Eagles cornerback Cary Williams said none of the Patriots' players said anything to him about the comments he made recently calling New England "cheaters" and saying that he hates the team from his days with the Baltimore Ravens.

In fact, he seemed to reverse his position entirely.

"Those are class acts," Williams said. "I've got a lot of respect for this organization, especially the players who play within it. They've got a rich history ... I can't knock that. They've got great players who play at an elite level. They're a well-known playoff team. As far as I'm concerned, we're trying to work our way into those ranks that they've already gotten themselves into."

Williams said he wanted to make sure the Eagles didn't get pushed around by the Patriots after last year's joint practice session between the two teams in Philadelphia. Williams was kicked out of one of those practices for fighting.

"They kind of gave us a 'welcome to the NFL' type of situation when they came down to us," Williams said about last year. "This time, we wanted to return the favor and really at least come out and compete."

Wing tips

Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll sat out practice again with a hamstring/groin injury. He said he's getting closer to returning, but wouldn't talk about his injury. ... WR Riley Cooper (foot) sat out the team drills. LB Jake Knott (hamstring) and RBs Chris Polk (hamstring) and Matthew Tucker (hamstring) didn't practice at all.

• SHOVE OF THE DAY: New England's Kenbrell Thompkins had gotten behind Cary Williams and caught a pass from Tom Brady along the sideline, over the outstretched arms of both Williams and Malcolm Jenkins. Williams then gave Thompkins a rough push out of bounds, but there was no retaliation from the Patriots.

• RUN STUFF OF THE DAY: Vinny Curry, who had a strong game against the Bears last Friday, got past his opponent on the offensive line and wrapped up Patriots running back Roy Finch in the backfield.

• PLAY OF THE DAY: It's not often when Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis gets beat deep for a touchdown, but Jeremy Maclin did just that when he hauled in a long pass from Nick Foles in the end zone. There's a chance Revis gave up on the play because Foles was holding the ball for a long time.